CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 100 West Virginia firefighters, families and friends gathered at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the state Capitol grounds Sunday to honor two men who died in the Line of Duty.
The names of firefighters Paul Walters, chief of the Bethlahem Volunteer Fire Department, and Gary Rose, of the McMechen Volunteer Fire Department, were added to the memorial that sits next to the Culture Center.
Multiple wreaths and flowers were placed near the Fallen Firefighter Statue, while the United States flag was draped from two ladder companies nearby.
“To the family and friends of Chief Paul Walters of Bethlehem VFD and Firefighter Gary Rose of the McMechen VFD, we cannot express our condolences, but we can assure you, these firefighters shall never be forgotten,” said John Holstein, president of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association, during Sunday’s ceremony.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued a proclamation designating Oct. 11, 2015 as West Virginia Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day.